NewLead Holdings Ltd. Announces Conversion of $217,250,000 Debt to Equity

NewLead Holdings Ltd.

today announced that Cyprus Popular Bank Public Co. Ltd. ("Cyprus Popular Bank") agreed with NewLead to the conversion of $217,250,000 associated with the aggregate principal amount of 7% Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (the "Notes"). The Notes are held by Focus Maritime Corp. ("Focus"), a company controlled by Michael Zolotas, the President and Chief Executive Officer of NewLead. Under the terms of the conversion, the Notes held by Focus will be converted into 264,939,024 shares of NewLead's common stock. Once issued, NewLead will have a total of 284,868,787 shares of common stock outstanding. Michael Zolotas, President and Chief Executive Officer of NewLead, stated, "We agreed to convert this debt as a sign of my continued faith in NewLead. This conversion evidences the continued progress we have made in reducing NewLead's indebtedness. These shares are being acquired for the long term, and I have no current intention of disposing of them."